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Everywoman’s Road 



JOSEPHINE HAMMOND. 


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9 



Everywoman’s Road 

A MORALITY OF 
WOMAN 

C r e a t o r—W o r k e r—W aster 
Joy-Giver and Keeper of the Flame 


BY 

JOSEPHINE HAMMOND 

If 





M S1 T 


Copyright , 1911 , hy Josephine Hammond. 
All Rights Reserved, 


©CI.D 24392 


To the memory of 

MY MOTHER. 


AUTHORS NOTE. 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD is written in free-running rambics. 
No attempt has been made to conform to blank verse structure. 

For the purposes of the Morality the Author has found it 
necessary to assume for the character of TRUTH the filtered 
wisdom of the ages: naturally she has laid herself deeply under 
obligations to all past philosophers. 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD. 


THE PRELUDE. 

SCENE: The courtyard of the House of Truth. Seven broad 
marble steps curve from left to right and lead to a broad 
platform. The marble is yellow in tone. This plat¬ 
form is finished left, rear, and right, by a colonnaded 
terrace. Behind the marble columns, left and right, 
the walls of the wings of the House of Truth are seen. 
At the rear the River of Life flows by the terrace, and 
its waters, and the verdant hills by which it winds, are 
seen distantly between the columns. Steps go down rear 
left and right centre from the terrace to the unseen shore. 
Entrances hung with tapestry lead to the House from 
upper left and right terrace. On the left and right ends 
and in the centre of the platform are rectangular blocks 
of marble, each cut to hold a seated figure. The fourth 
step down is built out so as to form carved seats with 
broad arms left and right of the centre. An ancient 
marble sun-dial stands in the open space down stage 
right. There is a low marble bench left front. At either 
end of the stage apron is a pedestal with an urn of roses. 
Bay trees and great urns, heaped with flowers, give color 
to the scene. Steps lead from the stage to the auditorium. 
Exits and entrances are made rear stage left and right 
and through the auditorium left and right. 


6 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


The orchestra is concealed behind the stage throughout the 
Morality. 

The stage is empty when the curtain is raised. 

The entire house is in darkness when the Prelude begins. 

The Prelude opens with the deep notes of the organ , playing 
the Prologue. 

The Prologue is chanted by the Voice of Cosmos, from the 
balcony of the auditorium. She is robed in ample folds of white. 

The light grows as the chant proceeds: the rose light of dawn 
is over the scene when the chant is finished. 

VOICE OF COSMOS. 

[chants] 


Darkling the Void 

Darkling the Void and confused, 

Monstrous the threat of Worlds in the Gloom: 

High in Empyrean outflashed the Law— 

Light pierced the Darkness— 

Outflamed a Star! 

Vibrant the Star— 

Fluid the Forces, converging: 

Majestically circling outswept the Suns— 

Love brooded the Marvel eons untold: 

Electric the Waking— 

Outwinged a Soul! 

Into the Light 

Into the Light turned the Earth: 

Dumb with the wonder Man stared at his Mate— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


1 


Seaward gleamed Gladness—Skyward glowed Hope— 

Close to the Jungle Brutes 
Outbloomed a Rose— 

Outbloomed a Rose. 

As the light grows, the Seeder is discovered, leaning on a pedestal, 
at the extreme left hand corner of the stage apron. She is robed 
in rose. She nods her head slowly as the foregoing chant ends. 
She chants, first in answer to the voice of Cosmos, then toward 
the stage, invoking the Women Who Have Died. 


VOICE OF THE SEEKER. 

This the Great Rhythm— 
Light follows the Law 
Love follows the Light 
And Life follows Love. 

[pauses, sings meditatively] 

Deep falls the Shadow: 
Death stalks the Life— 
Profound the Enigma— 
What follows Death? 

Women Creators 
Come forth from the Ages— 
Love ye have lavished 
Life ye have borne: 

Ye have been vanquished 
Ye have known scorn: 

Still prowls the Jungle Brute 
Still blooms the Rose. 


8 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


A Seeker comes seeking 
The Riddle to read— 

Are Love and Life burdens? 
Are Life and Love guerdons? 
Whence pulsed the Breath? 
What follows Death? 
Moulders of Miracle 
Interpret the Law. 

VOICES OF WOMEN. 

[from behind] 

We knew not the Law 
We knew not the Law 
Caprice was our tablet 
Enslavement our share: 

We were but children 
We knew but in part. 

Vain—vain the cravings 
Grim—grim the sorrows. 

Yet joys did we glean 
And sweet cherishment 
Crowned we have been 
Barged rich on Life’s tide 
Love we have garnered 
Life we have given— 

And died. 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


9 


[The \ey of their chant changes.] 

Let the Seeker seek Law and the Light— 

Let her enter her Kingdom of Self 
In full Sovereignty. 

Let her chalice her Love as she goes— 

Let her pass to her Pain and her Night 
In Tranquility. 

Life—Life, and not Death, is her problem— 

Law, Love, and the Light are her needs. 

Let the Light come! 

Let the Love grow! 

Let the Law be revealed! 

The organ plays as the persons of the Morality, in two lines, enter 
by the rear steps, cross the terrace and the front stage, and pass 
in processional left and right through the auditorium exits, 
front left and right. 

The processional is led by two Heralds, robed like the Fra 
Angelico Trumpeters, in green. 

EVERYWOMAN does not appear in the Processional. 

At the last THE VOICES OF WOMEN are again heard 
singing from the hidden shore, “Let the Seeker —” 

They continue singing as the last figures of the Prelude enter. 
These are THE SPIRITS OF CREATIVE WORK. THE 
SPIRIT OF INDUSTRIAL CREATION is in bronze drap¬ 
eries and carries a distaff. THE SPIRIT OF ARTISTIC 
CREATION is in bronze also and bears a tablet and stylus: 
they walk left and right of THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER¬ 
HOOD, who is clothed in draperies of violet, and who walks 
with her hands on the shoulders of two children, a boy and a 
girl. The girl is five; she is gowned in soft white. The boy is 
three: he is dressed in a white Russian blouse suit, with socks and 
sandals. These figures advance down stage. 


10 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


THE FLAME OF LIFE, in robes of flame color, enters left, 
and TRUTH, in gold tinged with blue, enters right, after these 
figures. They pass left and right, along the terrace, and stand 
watching the tableau. 

As the singers end their song, the curtain falls upon this tab¬ 
leau, and the lights go out. In the darkness the Seeker leaves 
the stage, and the Voice of Cosmos leaves the balcony. 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD. 


THE MORALITY. 

SCENE: The same. THE SPIRITS OF CREATIVE WORK 
are seated in the cut blocks, THE SPIRIT OF ARTISTIC 
CREATION right, THE SPIRIT OF INDUSTRIAL CRE¬ 
ATION left, and THE SPIRIT OF MOTHERHOOD centre. 
The children are on the steps at her feet. 

Enter the Heralds, left and right front auditorium. Their 
trumpet calls announce the Morality. They sit left and right 
of the stage. 

Before the curtain is drawn the strains of a Slumber Song 
are heard. These are modulated into Fire Music as the scene 
opens. 

The stage is dimly lighted. Jets of flame come from the hidden 
shore. The lights blaze up in stage and auditorium as the 

FLAME OF LIFE ENTERS. 

Enter the FLAME OF LIFE rear left from the River, spiritedly. 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[passing through auditorium, calling ] 

Everywoman, Everywoman 
Awake—awake— 

Truth cometh! 

Awake from thy sleeping 
The Living Flame calls 
Truth cometh! 


12 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


She goes out rear auditorium left, repeating the call without; 
She re-enters rear auditorium right, and, still calling, mounts 
stage. She sinks into a glowing heap at the left of the steps . 

HUMAN TRUTH enters from her house entrance rear right, 
walking meditatively. One wrist concealed beneath her sleeve 
is fettered. She is conceived as speaking from a mellowed wis¬ 
dom, lighted now and then with gleams of humor. She comes 
down and is advancing to the sun-dial when Everywoman, who 
has entered rear auditorium left, speaks to her. Everywoman 
is in lustrous black: her sleeves and gown show a lining of flame. 
She too wears a manacle on her left wrist. She is looking cur¬ 
iously about as if newly awakened. She haults while still in 
the auditorium and speaks from there. Truth stands by the 
sun-dial, on which she leans from time to time, or around which 
she moves, to introduce some movement in the dialogue which 
follows. 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[curiously] 

Have I been long asleep? There came 
Strange crying in my ear—‘ Awake, awake! ’ 
What called, and what familiar, foreign forms 
Were those that flitted by me in my dreams? 

TRUTH. 

[gently] 

Centuries and centuries, my Everywoman, 
You have been sleeping. 


EVERYWOMAN 

[bewildered] 

What do you mean? 

Have I not always labored hard to turn the wheels 
That go around—around— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


13 


TRUTH. 

[interrupting] 

Ah—you have helped to turn 
So many, many wheels within your caged world. 

You have wrought well in all the ages past, 

Impelled by instinct—instinct serving you for brain. 

But now the time is ripe for you to wake, 

To learn, in conscious toil, the compass and the depth 
Of that God-given mystery men call Life, 

Which you have played with, feared, despised, and loved. 

[ whimsically\ 

Dear one, you sometimes do not know your varied self. 
The many forms that just now passed you by 
Were you—you as the world has known you— 

The mother of its young, the giver of sweet joys, 

Co-bearer of great burdens—co-waster of great wealth, 
And keeper of the flame that beacons to the stars. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

These names stir memories—what can I learn 
Of Life more wonderful than that loved light 
That makes a Heaven of my baby’s eyes? 

TRUTH. 

[compass ionately ] 

The way to keep that Heaven inviolate. 

[pausing] 

My Everywoman, Nature burdens you 

To bear the race, but only Wisdom, bred 

From Love and Truth, can make you fit for Motherhood. 


14 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[moved] 

How often, in the clutch of custom, I have dreamed 
This might be so. And you—you that limn 
The truth so boldly yet so graciously, 

What are you called? 


TRUTH. 

I am the Truth I speak. 
EVERYWOMAN. 

And you know all? 

TRUTH. 

No—no— I am but Human Truth— 
Evolved from all the best you and your mate, 

The Everyman, have lived, divinely sensed, 

And blindly struggled for. Such Truth cannot 
Be crystal clear: it needs must gleam prismatically 
From tinge of mood and circumstance. I am 
What you have sometimes been but seldom understood. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[slowly] 

Yet dimly I recall a groping—groping—through 
Vicissitudes untold—toward some harmonic whole— 
You seem a part of that full harmony— 

You I have glimpsed, but never really known. 

TRUTH. 

[quaintly] 

Alas—I have been tricked in many garbs, 

Hid in vast tomes of dullness, pinched and pulled, 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


15 


Denied in one aspect—to be accepted in another. 

But always some clear-visioned acolyte has sought 
My heart, and dressed my body, as you see, in gold. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[childishly] 

And I, no doubt, have helped to pinch and pull? 

TRUTH. 

[nods grimly] 

Ay—When you wasted much and did invent pretense. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[anxiously] 

But I have worked, you said— 

TRUTH. 

[nodding again] 

Since first the skin was dressed, 
The fire first lighted in the cave’s black gloom. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[pleadingly] 

And carrier of joy? That, too, I’ve been? 

TRUTH. 

[tenderly] 

Ah—what had been existence lacking you! 

A toddling mite—you laughed in grave men’s beards: 

A girl—you trailed a rainbow through the days! 

To woman grown—your hands, your eyes, your breast, 

Gave sanctuary. How blank the world if you 
Forgot to laugh, to dance, to bless! 


16 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[wistfully] 

I would that I might always bear these gifts of joy. 

But [ shuddering ] poignant memories of anguished loneliness 
Come back to stab with age-old pain. 

Whence came this grey woe of the world? 

TRUTH. 

[sadly] 

World-Builders sometimes quite forget to seek for Truth. 
They are not always Keepers of the Living Flame. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

What do you mean? 

TRUTH. 

Not yet has all mankind 
The insight and the courage to be free 
From fear. The noble spirit, vibrant to 
The play of forces in the infinite space, 

Moves on serenely to an end itself decrees. 

Your Book of Life, my Every woman, has 
Enscrolled the glories of such master souls. 

With royal ease they lay their yoke aside, 

They face the sun and learn life can be glorified: 

They climb the hills—they feed the fires on the heights: 
They come, again, to common ways and kin, 

And drink the bitter-sweet of sacrifice, 

But always in their eyes the vision lives, 

And those who look therein forsake futilities 
And lift their wearied faces to that vastness where 
The stars swing through the night in rhythmic harmony. 
Wherever one so lives that some transcendant light 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


17 


Of Love shines throiigh her deeds, there is the Living Flame— 
The Inspiration that shall whip Mankind 
From its deep ditch of dull brutality. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[wonder ingly] 

And these are part of me? My eyes have mirrored Love 
From Love’s immortal sphere? How much one can forget! 

I—I have been the flame—again and yet again? 

TRUTH. 

Yes—yes—my eager-hearted one. Into 

The little lanes of life uncounted multitudes 

Have brought their infinite shining love—and passed. 

Too often have they passed unknown—unsung. 

Some of the heart-blood they have spilled 
The poet-seers have chaliced for mankind: 

With loving care they’ve sculptured gem-set Grails 
And in these glorious cups of beaten gold 
The precious blood glows red, inviting you 
And yours to drink communion with eternities. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[wistfully] 

I would that I might see the vision constantly, 

And light the little lanes with star-rays from my love. 

I weary of the weight upon my eyes, 

I weary of these fetters that dishonor me. 

[holding fettered hand out appealingly] 

TRUTH. 

[nodding] 

And I, too, hunger for the day when I 

May walk abroad in open squares, where young 


18 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD 


And old shall nod to me familiarly 

And pause to listen when I speak above the crowd. 

Ah—such reverence would be sweet—sweet! 

I am so sad at heart when I must skulk with shame 
All up and down the dusty streets today. 

I, too, am weary of the torn and motley cloak 
The fools fling round me in the market-place! 

Your fetters fetter me! You hold your life and mine 
In these small hands, my Everywoman. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

What must I do? 


TRUTH. 

[smiling a little ] 
So many, many things 
In those full spacious days about to dawn. 


But first? 


EVERYWOMAN. 


TRUTH. 

[earnestly] 

The Vision waits eternally. 

You need but wish to front the sun—the weights will drop 
When your soul wills to see. Then you shall understand 
Your needs and man’s. Your race develops worth 
And joy, and peace, as you develop body, mind, 

And soul to their full, rich capacities. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

But even if I see aright, how can 
I grow, thus bound? 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 
TRUTH. 


19 


You must demand of Life 

The space and means through which to grow: this once achieved, 
With open mind, and wide, deep sympathies, 

You needs must learn realities and laws— 

The universal laws. The greatest task remains— 

To live ideally from day to day, 

Translating into acts the best you know. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[slowly] 

For centuries I’ve heard the echo of this call. 

While I was hardly yet awake, I heard 

The Children crying in the mirk of barren rooms: 

I heard both Men and Women muttering in despair. 

[to Truth , vehemently] 

You talk of visions—where is food for such as these? 

TRUTH. 

[very simply] 

I do not know— you have not told me. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[after a pause, slowly] 

I understand—you mean it is a human task 
To bring surcease of woe: and I and mine 
Must find the ways to lift humanity to health. 

Ah—Truth—I am not wise—I am not learned— 

TRUTH. 

[; interrupting , smiling] 

But you are often wise in foolishness— 

What men call folly sometimes is divine, 


20 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


[Ecerywoman shades her head , wistfully. Truth waits 
sympathetically] 

TRUTH. 

Listen yet again to olden memories. 

What deep-rung melodies resound? The world has known 
God-like, ecstatic joy—remember that. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[light breaking over her face] 

Yes—yes— I’ll not forget! I hear—I hear 
The throbbing wonder of a thrush’s song— 

The glad, clear call of comrades on the road: 

I hear the love-tones welling from a heart beloved. 

[turning passionately to Truth] 

Tell me— you bear the treasured wisdom from 
The mysteries of immemorial days—tell me 
The magic that will turn all bitterness and strife 
And stagnant callousness to splendid life! 

TRUTH. 

[slowly, impressively] 

Dear Heart—there is no sudden magic in the long 
Laborious evolution of the earth and man— 

And yet—all’s miracle! We do not know 
The deep intent of God’s creative work, 

But we may read the hoped-for future from the past. 

The alchemy you must employ—*tis clear 

The Vision first! And then, perhaps, a reverent love 

For all created things—and then—more faith— 

More faith in simple good— more sturdiness in faith— 

More splendid courage in the soul to conquer fear. 

More wisdom to foresee—more charity to share— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


21 


And everywhere persistent toil employed to rear. 

With scientific skill, a state so ample and so rich 
That all therein may freely breathe and laugh, 

And learn how best to work and play and love. 

The task is great. Is it not time you woke? 

You who might feed the world with happiness and hope 
Must part of you be wasted in the mill of greed? 

Must part of you persist in selling life 
For vanities to trim an empty day? 

Dear Victim of an Idol-loving race, 

When will you climb the open hills with me? 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[with animation ] 

Help me to know myself. I am awake! 

I seek the Truth of Life! 

An awakening Song is heard from behind. Everywoman advances 
to stage , first boldly , then more slowly. Truth crosses to meet 
her with outstretched hands. Everywoman stands on the steps 
hesitantly. 


TRUTH. 

Come here and sit beside me where 
THE SPIRITS OF CREATIVE LIFE are throned. 

[quaintly] 

Nay, do not shrink away. E’en closely scanned 
The Truth is very beautiful! 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[still drawing back] 

It is so strange to be thus close to Truth. 

I grow afraid of what you shall unfold: 

The future days— 


22 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


TRUTH. 

[interrupting] 

Are yours to spoil or crown. 

Be brave of heart—learn patiently, and let 
Me see you smile as you do learn. To muse 
With mannered sadness on your ills is wrong. 

The world’s woe lies too deep for tears to freshen it: 

It needs a singing stimulant to rouse it to rebel. 

[voice of Pippa is heard from behind] 

Hark, [they listen. Truth with her hand on Every woman s arm] 

PIPPA. 

[singing behind] 

“The year’s at the spring 
And day’s at the morn 
Morning’s at seven: 

The hillside’s dew-pearled; 

The lark’s on the wing; 

The snail’s on the thorn: 

God’s in His heaven— 

All’s right with the world!” 

TRUTH. 

That’s Pippa, Keeper of the Living Flame. 

[smiling] 

The muddiest pool throws back the sunshine when she sings. 

[the voice is distantly heard as they move to C.] 

Truth stands beside chair L., on which she sometimes leans. This posi¬ 
tion brings her a little behind Everywoman, who sits thinking. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

But all 

Is not right with the world. And knowing that 
How can I hope, although I am awake 
And eager for the Truth? 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


23 


TRUTH 

[with grave beauty] 

Dear Child, so far 

As we may know, God’s Universe is right. 

This wondrous House of Man holds food and force 
And inspiration for your mate and you. 

It is supremely beautiful. Ah—Everywoman, 

When weights drop from your eyes, go stand upon 
A mountain top some blossomy morn in spring, and watch, 
In hushed responsiveness, the birth of day. 

Then, like a homing bird, my voice shall sing to you— 
‘Naught’s ill, all’s good, and clean, and sweet, and beautiful, 
Where life is lived in harmony with Nature’s laws.’ 

Where God is immanent, Creation must be right. 

[with sudden force] 

The wrong’s in you and in the Everyman. 

Brute passion, ignorance, and selfishness 
War in you with your soul’s great heritage; 

Your lust for self robs Nature of her health, 

And wastes the sustenance of humankind. 

Waste—waste—there’s world-wide waste—a waste of life, 

Of living power and of living needs, 

And where there’s waste there’s wrong! 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[musingly] 

Two natures of 

One body in locked strife—the one which wastes 
And that which does upbuild— 

TRUTH. 

[nodding] 

The greatest drama of the world— 
This conflict of the noble and ignoble in mankind. 


24 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[thinking deeply ] 

Was I not taught to shun all knowledge of the wrong? 

TRUTH. 

So falsely taught! How can you choose—asleep? 

EVERYWOMAN. 

Then all who live must choose between these two? 

TRUTH. 

Your life is made from what you do elect. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

But I have been a victim of fell circumstance, 

Blinded—bound—misled—I could not choose. 

TRUTH. 

Myriads have stumbled in their chains, 

And yet the myriads could choose in part. 

As you grow conscious of the age-old laws 

Of Growth and Change, the better will you understand 

This obligation laid upon your soul. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[wistfully] 

Why may I not just grow as grasses do? 

TRUTH. 

[smiling a little] 

Your living is a blank unless you seek 
Divinities in transitory days. 

One moment’s exultation of the soul 
Outvies long cycles of insensate years. 



EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD 


25 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[eagerly] 

There can be zest of living then, despite the pain? 

TRUTH. 

The ecstacy of life lies close to numbing pain. 

But out of pain a keener sense is born—■ 

A higher joy—and ever out of struggle ’twixt 
The joy and pain new life evolves. This life, 

God’s gift, is what you choose to make it, Child. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

Teach me, Great Sybil, how to choose aright. 

TRUTH. 

I’ll mirror you as you have been and are, 

Diverse—opposed—the Worker and the Waster, 

The Giver of Much Joy, The Keeper of the Flame. 

Scan well the shadowed show. So may you learn 
What you must seek when you go forth from here 
Into the teeming land that needs the best of you. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[simply] 

Dear Wise One, I will mark the show. 

TRUTH. 

[crossing to sun-dial] 

The workers first, [stirring the Flame of Life]. 

Go, Leaping One, and animate. 

The Women Burden-Bearers of the world. 

[Flame of Life goes off L. auditorium. Lights dim as she exits. 
Truth turns to Everywoman] 


26 


EVERYWOMAN^ ROAD 


Since those dim cycles far behind recorded time 
The woman’s hand and back and body have been made 
To bear a goodly brunt, [grimly tender]. So patient you 
Have been—so toilsome—and so unintelligent 
In toil—so bound to fossiled lines—so selfishly 
Unselfish—and so good—so good! 0 you 
Divinely foolish and heroic Mother of the World— 

See what you have: the world kneels down before your shrine. 
Then quietly goes out and sells you into chains 
To feed its pampered and most bestial appetites. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[stirred] 

The truth of what you mean beats in me—I begin 
To see—to know—myself—but tell me, Truth, 

Is work not good? Is woman’s bearing never sweet? 

TRUTH. 

[gravely] 

Fit labor and sweet bearing are among 
The choicest gifts God ever gave to you. 

[as Everywoman is about to speal{, looking off auditorium L .] 
Hush—the firstlings of the race appear— 

She who wove the mat—who ground the corn— 

And she who bore the pack. 

Truth crosses to L. and sits again. 

The organ plays a slow dragging march. 

The lights brighten as the Flame of Life re-enters rear auditorium 
left , followed by the groups of Workers severally. The Flame 
of Life stands apart near the Herald. The Workers advance 
slowly to the stage , bend their heads to Everywoman and Truth, 
then cross the stage before the two and pass down steps right 
and go off through auditorium to rear exit. 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


27 


Truth watches as if accustomed to the show. Everywoman 
looks eagerly upon it. The organ plays on as the train passes 
slowly and heavily. 

In the train are primitive care women; Indian women; women 
of the rice fields of China; an Egyptian slave; Hebraic water 
carriers; a Greek spinner; Teutonic women; Turkish women; 
an Algerian women; Italian fagot-gatherers; French peasants 
of the mediaeval time returning from the fields; sisters of charity 
of the mediaeval times; a Lady of the castle with her daughter, 
page, and maids; a Dutch laundress; Breton fishwives; a 
Swedish knitter; New England housewives of the Colonial 
period; a Colonial Dame with her child toddling by her; Amer¬ 
ican pioneer women; English factory women; a forlorn shirt 
maker; a negro slave girl of the 50's; cotton mill children of the 
South; German house-wife with young child; group of modern 
women; a telephone girl; a nurse; a business woman; a woman 
in cap and gown; an illustrator in painter s apron; a teacher 
with children about her; last, an old Lady. The women carry 
the jugs, baskets, and so forth, characteristic of their occupations; 
The old lady that comes last is dressed after Whistler s portrait 
of his mother. 

Everywoman rises instinctively as this Avatar of herself passes. 
The Old Lady pauses in front of the glowing Spirit of Motherhood. 
The latter leans down and whispers to the Small Girl, who rises 
briskly , takes the Grandmother s hand and leads her carefully 
down the steps. The Grandmother fumbles in the bag she wears, 
finds a sweetmeat which she gives to the Small Girl who is pirou¬ 
etting. The Old Lady passes and the Small Girl runs back t° 
centre. Everywoman has remained standing, grasping the 
back of the chair and looking off after the line. As the last notes 
of the organ sound. Truth, also looking off R., speaks musingly 


28 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


TRUTH. 

They are the burden bearers, 

They are the doers of deeds, 

They are the trouble sharers 
In the Kindgom of Little Needs. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[with tense emotion] 

I understand. I now recall so well 

How many, many times I’ve worked and watched 

And waited—waited—waited— 

TRUTH. 

[ pityingly] 

Yes—yes—Dear Heart—I know—that Jungle Brute 
Still makes you bleed: 

[looking at her keenly] 

You must stir high the flame 
To keep the Craven far away from you. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[breathing quickly] 

I will—I will—only teach me what to do— 

TRUTH. 

[still looking keenly at Everywoman] 

Remember— you have somtimes cast your yoke aside, 

And lost your fear, and climbed the heights, where you have drunk 
An Age’s distillation of the Wine of Life! 

Do you remember—yes? And then—and then— 

You drained your own heart’s blood to fill the cup again— 

The glow of it flames now—north—south, and east and west— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


29 


Flames high and lightens those unsightly slums 
Where Children toddle in the dirt and die. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[shivering] 

I have watched them die— 


TRUTH. 

[rapidly] 

Ah—Everywoman, 

You have a labor greater than the sum 

Of all the work wrought by the workers that have passed. 

To work is much, but to inflame a world 

Of smugness, pettiness, and greed—to draw it up 

To live in decency and charity and truth— 

That is a labor for a queenly soul! 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[deeply moved, speaks quickly] 

A task for kingly and for queenly souls. 

The truth you make me taste is bitter-sweet indeed. 

Show me the Women that have dared to live 
Transcendantly in this grim strife of light and lust. 

TRUTH. 

[more quietly] 

Their histories are locked within their hearts. 

[very quietly] 

I do not doubt God knows them—and all’s well. 

[pauses] 

At times some God-like divination in 
A poet-seer has found their heart’s key and unlocked 
Their mysteries. Dear Child, you can not vitalize 


30 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


The fallow wonders in your soul till you 
Have visioned your full-statured, noblest self 
In these Transcendent Ones. 

[as if she saw them passing in a noble train] 

How beautiful they are 

As they pass onward, and they are so real—so real— 

The glorious and rounded bodiment of all 
Who have so greatly lived and passed— unsung. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

Show them to me—I wish to know my highest self. 

TRUTH. 

It takes the Art that’s sister to the Truth 

To bring these figures forth [to Flame of Life] Thou Flaming One, 
Call from the mountain tops that Art that seeks 
Immortally to emulate its God. 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[rising and calling off rear stage\ 

Spirit of Beauty— 

Nourisher of Divinity— 

Great Art, come forth. 

[The strings play softly and then sweepingly as, after a pause, the 
Spirit of Art, clothed in soft dark green, chapleted and carrying 
a cluster of waterlilies, comes slowly from stage C. and down 
the platform steps L. to stage. Truth and Everywoman watch 
her coming.] 


ART. 

[simply] 

You called, Great Truth? How can I serve your need? 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 
TRUTH. 


31 


This Learner, Everywoman, would behold 
The noblest Women of the World. 


The grace to see? 


ART. 

Has she 


TRUTH. 

It has grown in her since she woke. 

ART. 

[to Everywoman] 

Cleanse from your heart all envy, falseness, and all shame. 

Look up—look up—the Keepers of the Flame are passing by. 

[The lights go suddenly out: flames tolay from behind the Mother . 
A red light shines on the figures that enter singly right auditorium 
front , pass in front of Everywoman , incline their heads , and pass 
slowly off left front auditorium. The organ plays as the figures 
cross] 

ART. 


Once lived a maid who honored honor in such wise 
That she gave up her sweet young life to keep 
The sacred vow her father made—that day 
He overthrew his foe. Jephthah’s daughter—come, 
Come as you came to greet the king—elate— 

Pass as you passed from life, undaunted, brave, 
Self-sacrificed to thy clear-burning Flame of Love. 

[JephthaKs Daughter passes over ] 

ART. 

And once there lived a maid so filial in love 
She wandered where her mother led, and gleaned 


32 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


In stranger fields—although her eyes yearned achingly 
To see again the lift of hills about her home. 

Ruth—nourisher of constancy—pass by. 

[Ruth with her sheaves passes over] 

ART. 

This august line brings close to us the grim 
And tragic mysteries the woman soul has lived 
When swept with fires of transcendent Love: 

Come, come, Antigone, who for a brother’s sake, 

Upbore thy haughty will to bury him, 

Until the shameful noose cut off thy life magnificent. 

[Antigone passes over ] 

ART. 

And come, thou Sweet Alcestis, from the same 
Blue-spanned and God inspired Grecian World; 

Alcestis with the sunny locks Admetus loved so well— 

You died that he might live eternally— 

Pure-hearted wife—the Flame burns higher as you pass. 

[Alcestis passes over] 

ART 

Great mothers make great sons, the poets say— 

Pass by—Cornelia—Rome reverenced thee 
Because you held your sons more precious than your gems. 
[Cornelia with her two young sons passes over] 

ART. 

And there was one who loved her Race so well 
She fought in mortal combat with its foe— 

Boadicea—valiant in arm and heart—pass by. 

[Boadicea passes over] 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


33 


ART. 

Brunhild! and will you for a moment leave 

That sphere of Deathless Love you won so gloriously— 

When out of pain you soared with Siegfried past 
The Morning Star to your Eternity? 

[Brunhild passes over] 

ART. 

The Love of Woman spends itself in divers ways 
So often it has run in crystal streams back to its Source. 
Sometimes the Jungle Brute has tasted of its purity. 

And followed it and won to Manhood by its side: 

In every age great hearts have bled to keep a faith— 

One passes now—St. Agnes—martyred Child 
So young—so pure of soul—so strong in faith. 

[5/. Agnes passes over] 

ART. 

Another Maid there lived, young, pure, and strong, 

Whose saintly passion for her State achieved 
A miracle: She left a sheltered peace 
To lead her France to victory; her blood has dyed 
The field where grow the lillies she so loved. 

Pass by, Jeanne D’Arc, the lilies are the whitest where you bled. 
[Jeanne D’Arc passes over] 

ART. 

And thou, most human and most lovely Beatrice, 

Pass by: Thy Master dowered thee with wit, 

A wholesome wit: he crowned thee with thy loyalty 
To womanhood. An outraged woman was thy friend 
And you did love her more than you loved Self 
In that great moment when you trumpeted belief 


34 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


Across the sodden field of circumstantial doubt. 

Pass on—Reality can learn from thee. 

[Beatrice passes over ] 

ART. 

Dear Learner—seek these Women when the Flame burns low— 
Myself and what is mine are dedicate to thee. 

And chief—the woman-child I summon now— 

The loveliest flower ever reared from common soil— 

Pompilia, pass by—a woman bartered thee, 

A fiend oppressed thee—but thy soul swung free. 

Thou dared defy thy world to shield the Living Flame— 

0 Peerless rose of womanhood—pass by! 

[Pompelia passes over ] 

The organ notes end in triumphant chords and the lights go out . 
Art crosses to right terrace where she sits in meditation. 

The lights come up slowly. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[moved, conscious of her kinship with these passing ones] 

How inextinguishable the spirit-life 

Of such rare souls—how warm their pulsing blood! 

Ah, Truth, how wise you were—one needs but see 
Such bravery of womanhood and quick 
Desire for the best in dream and deed awakes. 

TRUTH. 

[nodding] 

The air is vibrant yet with haunting melodies 
Swept from their hearts strings; melodies of love 
That other hearts must hear or atrophy to death. 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


35 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[mystically] 

I seem to see them moving in effulgent light— 

How honey-sweet the air is they have stirred— 

And they passed so serenely—yet they bore, 

So Art did say, the grievous pain of martyrdom— 
Where got they that sure splendor of the soul? 

TRUTH. 

They lived integrities and so were strong. 

They built imperishable ideals which have 
Outlasted monument and state and men’s decrees. 
Lovers all—they spent their largesse lavishly, 

And it flowed back to make them richer than before: 
They did not waste—they spent—they did not waste! 

EVERYWOMAN. 

This waste you do rebuke in me e’en while 
You shrine my highest self so lovesomely, 

This waste destroys not only harmonies of life 
But wrecks the waster, too? 

TRUTH. 

[nodding] 

Till Everywoman 

And her mate do learn how best to serve 
Themselves, Society will be enchained, 

And you, my Child, will stay the stunted thing you are. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

Show me more plainly what you mean: if I 
Must choose my Way of Life, I must know all I am. 


36 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


TRUTH. 

[to Flame of Life] 

Thou Quickener of Breath, go out into the streets 
And bring us any Women Wasters you may find. 

And if, perchance, you come upon a Wasted One 
Bring her in, too. 

[Flame of Life exists Right auditorium rear] 

It would be wearisome 

To body forth the Wasters and the Wasted of the Past: 
Innumerable as motes in shafts of light they are. 

For centuries Society has fed its Life 
From toil of slaves in fields, or home, or shop: 

For centuries Society has waged its Wars 
With no more reverence for its Human Stock 
Than you have for a bruised and broken weed. 

For centuries the binding coils of caste 

Have dwarfed your growth—nor have we yet outgrown 

This sacrilegious desecration of the God in Man. 

For centuries the Rich have wasted wealth, 

The Poor have wasted time, the Ignorant 

Have wasted the achievements of the Wise. Ah—Everywoman— 
You of all God’s creatures—have been wasted most! 

And will you now, with hooded soul, make Waste your aim? 

I grow prolix—here comes a bit of life 
More potent in effect than all my words. 

[Enter Flame of Life rear auditorium right , followed by a forlorn 
girl waif , staggering under a heavy bundle of basted sweat-shop 
clothing. The Flame of Life pauses at the foot of the steps leading 
to the stage and speaks to Truth] 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

Here passeth one 
The Wasted One 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


37 


Whose life has been 
A blank—a blank 
Of all save pain. 

The Flame of Life stands aside to allow the child to pass. The 
child limps across the stage and sits wearily on the stone seat; 
here she gnaws, with a famished wolfishness, a crust of bread 
which she tabes from her blouse. It gives small comfort. She 
sinfe dejectedly back on the bench. 

The music becomes expressive of weariness and cynicism. Enter rear 
auditorium right two extravagantly dressed women of the period: 
they are nonchalant and very much bored. The Flame of Life 
speaks again to Truth. 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

Great Truth 
My flame 
Burns feebly 
In these two— 

They eat dead fruits 
By Dead—Dead Seas 
And waste—and waste— 


Everywoman scans the two as they approach and looks with puzzled 
interest from them to the waif. The two women mount the stage 
and pause by the sun-dial. One yawns; the other examines a 
small silver tablet. The Flame of Life sits on the stage steps 
with head bowed. 

They trail off left. The child looks up, rises, and plucks the skirt 
of the second Woman, and then holds out her hands imploringly. 

The women draw back from the child and pass off left front audi¬ 
torium exit without heeding her. Everywoman with struggling 


38 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


emotion watches the scene. The child looks wistfully around, 
her lip quivers, and she sobs convulsively. Everywoman in¬ 
stinctively reaches out her arms. The Mother-Spirit leans to 
the Small Boy and whispers to him: he rises and goes to the waif, 
pats her face, takes her hand forcefully and draws her back to 
the centre. When she turns in slow astonishment, she finds the 
Mother s hand outstretched. The Small Girl looks at the Mother 
with sudden question; and the Mother nods; the Small Girl rises 
and stands on tip-toe to get a small basket on the pedestal. With 
care she lifts off the napkin and takes out a large slice of bread, 
butter and sugar. This she hands to the waif, as the latter comes 
tremblingly to the steps. The waif sits in wondering happiness 
between the Small Boy and Small Girl who smile at her, and at 
last she bites greedily into the slice. Everywoman s eyes are wet. 
She tries to conceal her emotion. Truth watches her tenderly. 
Truth leans forward and is about to speak-] 

TRUTH. 

Child— 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[quickly] 

No—No—don’t speak to me—I had not 
Remembered I was ever cruel to the little ones— 

TRUTH. 

[her eyes flashing although she speaks quietly] 

But Truth must speak! These gifts of God have Godly rights— 
You cannot rob them with impunity. 

[Everywoman cowers in her chair. Truth goes on feelingly.] 

Dear Child—believe the Truth I tell to you: 

I learned it from the wisest souls in which God’s love 
Has lain—learned it here, [gesturing to the sun-dial] 

Through long elapse of years. 




EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


39 


Until Mankind grows reverent of its own Divinity 
Sublime Creative Forces will be bonded to Caprice 
And unloved Youth will suffer and will sin, 

Unconscious of the beatings of the Spirit’s wings. 

Life grows to God through slow development 
Of God in Man. So only love akin to God’s 
Should dare create a Child, and only Love should nurture it. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[raising her head] 

You told me I must choose. My Way is clear. 

The pain of all the strange unkindliness 
That children, rich and poor, endure, assails me; 

I know I must seek endlessly to build 
A Home girt round with Law—transfused with love. 

[starting suddenly and turning to Truth] 

Can this be answer to the Quest—leads all Caprice 
To Death, but Love, fulfilled, to Life and yet more Life? 

TRUTH. 

[watching her closely] 

I do not know. But, whatever is the goal, 

Here is the child, [gesturing toward the waif] 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[alert] 

Yes—Yes—I’ll not forget. 

[shading her head] 

The merest sun-ray makes them all aquiver with delight. 

TRUTH. 

[smiling] 

Their stream of joy is never deep, and yet 
No parching drought brought by the wasting years 


40 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD 


Has ever stopped this rippling joyance of the World. 

You once were part of it—its sparkling waywardness 
Lives in you now—so many are the joys you give! 

[with great enjoyment ] 

How often weary Pan, astray in wastes 
Of Commonness, has sought this skipping stream, 

And drawn its fresh’ning waters through his reeds, 

And piped it on to follow him to where 

The sunlight flickers through the beechen wood, 

And on and on—to dim sweet twilights where 
The fairy folk hold revel with the fire-flies, 

And Watchers in the skies bend down and smile. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[eagerly] 

But Pan could pipe the little ones away. 

TRUTH. 

[shading her head ] 

When you were wise you walked beside the gleaming stream, 

And when it wearied of its play it rippled to 
Your feet, and you laved in its lovesomeness, 

And soothed it into slumber on your breast. 

And so you gained and gave the happiness 

That now must help you teach this waif the Joy of Life. 

[Pan is heard piping without] 

[Truth listens] 

Hark—Pan is calling—you shall hear and see 
The gladsome rout: [with sudden wistfulness] 
and it may be—that you 
Will wish all children to be free and safe. 

[The Voice of the Faun-Spirit is heard singing without the auditorium 
front right:—she enters the doorway, repeating the song. Then she 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


41 


turns and goes out and the song is heard distantly. She re-enters 
rear left, passes up the aisle, singing, and exits front left] 

THE VOICE OF THE FAUN SPIRIT. 

The fire-flies are glinting 

O'er meadow, marsh, and hollow — 

Follow — Follow — 

Only those whose hearts are young 
Sense the song that Pan has sung — 

Follow fire—follow flame — 

Ma\e of life a magic game 
Fancy calls to those that tire 
hollow flame and follow fire — 

Follow — Follow — 

There's shelter in the forest 
For those that shrink from sorrow. 

Follow — Follow — 

Follow — Follow — Follow — 

The last note merges into the call on the pipes of the Faun-Spirit. 
Enter the Faun-Spirit rear auditorium left, playing the pipes. 
He leaps to the stage and dances in happy abandon. Presently, 
growing weary of dancing alone, he pipes to the Happy Ones to 
come to play with him. 

Enter rear auditorium left the following groups, dancing, frol¬ 
icking. The Faun-Spirit is sometimes the centre of the group that 
swings about him; sometimes he looks on at the merry rout with 
keen enjoyment. 

The scene is in sunlight. 


42 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


Enter five small maidens in the pink and yellow and green of 
spring, with flowers: they skip to the stage, make merry with the 
Faun-Spirit, dance about him, and pelt him with the flowers. He 
dextrously dances away from them and laughingly throws the 
flowers at the children and drives them off right stage: they exit 
dancing and laughing through right auditorium. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Enter two Greek maidens, dancing. They carry garlands for 
the altar. 

Enter quickly two Greek gfrZs playing hand-ball. They play 
with great merriment, dodging about the Faun-Spirit and running 
quickly off. The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Enter more sedately, six Japanese children, who play a game 
and move quaintly off. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

A small Dutch girl appears followed by her dog. She is mak¬ 
ing him beg, when eight of her friends come in. They are 
dressed in delft blue and white. They form a circle, dance with 
zest, and then the First Child runs off with her dog, followed by 
the rest. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Enter single gypsy. She dances across the stage. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Six Esquimaux children enter and play a game. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Enter twelve pickaninnies who dance a folk dance singing as 
they dance. The Faun-Spirit looks on with huge enjoyment. 
They go off right. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


43 


Enter six children who dance and sing the age-old ditty — 
“London Bridge is Falling Down”—they scamper off as the notes 
played by a street violinist are heard from behind. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

Enter a young girl with a basket of flowers. Pan pursues her, 
slips, sits in discomforture. She dances as if life were sweet to her. 

The Faun-Spirit calls again. 

A Child of the Streets enters and dances in joyful abandon to 
the music of the violin. The Faun-Spirit lies on the bench 
watching her. As she dances off the lights fade slowly into twilight. 

The Faun-Spirit calls. 

Enter the Spirit of Happiness, who dances as the epitome of 
natural happiness. 

Enter skipping, six Elves in brown and green. They gather 
round the Faun-Spirit in the bench, pinch and pull him—skip 
gayly off and return to tug him off the seat. He suddenly jumps 
up, eludes them, and runs piping away, followed by the Elves. 

The children on the centre steps have watched the show with ^een 
interest. They start as the Elves run off. Hand in hand they too 
skip after the alluring piping. Around they skip, the Waif pulled 
eagerly by the Small Boy and Small Girl. They near the stage 
steps. Then, from behind the Spirit of Motherhood the Voice of the 
Mother is heard, singing a Lullaby. Her white draperies are 
dimly seen. The children listen, turn back and steal softly to their 
places by the Mother s knee. The Lullaby dies away. The 
Spirit of Dreams drifts in and dances softly about the children. 
She winds herself in her rainbow scarf; slowly she sinks beside 
the steps and the lights go out. 

The lights come up slowly. Everywoman, with a new sweet 
dignity of bearing, moves slowly to the sun-dial. Truth follows 
her. 


44 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[nodding without turning around , and smiling ] 

I do believe I know what you would say— 

We wander far afield in search of Paradise 
When we might build its Door-step in a home. 

TRUTH. 

[smiling too] 

Yet, if you never wandered, never dreamed, 

Never sought fulfillment, never failed, 

You would mistake the dullness of well-fed content 
For that Divine Existence where the soul 
Grows ever, through extremities of pain and joy, 

Toward some perfected State no mind has compassed yet. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

The Individual, then, must be my chiefest care? 

TRUTH. 

Who else? The Home and State must feed the single soul 
That it, in turn, may build more noble homes and states 
To breed more splendid souls. You see, Dear Heart, 

The world is growing richer every year 

In clean and God-inspired lives that win 

Some share of happiness. You are one-half that world, 

And you must share the privilege of fostering, 

In Home and State, the agencies, whereby, 

With steadily decreasing crucifixions, 

The God in Everyman and Woman may 
Ascend to spheres of rhythmic harmonies. 

EVERYWOMAN 

[rapt] 

It is a dream—majestic—beautiful— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 45 

But—I have no means to make it real. 

TRUTH. 

[simply ] 

You have all God endowed you with—when He evolved 
You from His Love and you possess all you and man 
Imperishably have built since life began. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

What are these doweries? 

TRUTH. 

Attend them well. 

They do await to help you in your Quest. 

[Everywoman looks around expectantly. Truth turns 

quickly to Flame of Life.] 

TRUTH. 

Flame—Flame! 

[Flame leaps up.] 

Call forth my Everywoman’s heritage. 

[Everywoman turns to face the oncoming figures, standing 
with her hack 1° the sun-dial. Truth faces her, leaning on chair 
left] 


FLAME. 

[chanting] 

[calls off rear stage left] 

Spirit of the Earth 
Fostering Mother of Man, 


46 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


Come forth—Come forth— 

And come thou too, 

Spirit of Society 
Engender of rich 
Companionship. 

Music. Enter the Spirit of Nature, rear stage left, and the Spirit 
of Society rear stage right. The Spirit of Nature is in ample 
draperies of russet and green and carries a great red rose. The 
Spirit of Society is in old rose draperies and carries a ring of gold. 
They advance down stage and pause on the steps while Truth 
speaks. 

TRUTH. 

These two have treasures manifold for you: 

Lean to the breast of Nature—rhythmic ebb and flow— 

Of life-tides in her Heart will lull you to serenity— 

And forces pulsing from Infinity will wake 
Intenser life. Moreover, in the zest and bond 
Of human comradeship, you may amass 
Those noble recompenses minted ever where 
Earth’s children labor, love, and laugh together. 

[gesturing to figures] 

Society shall bind you with a golden ring 
To humankind, and Nature, with a rose, 

Shall hint the beauty of her mysteries. 

Soft airs are played again. The two figures cross to Everywoman: 
The Spirit of Society slips the ring on Everywoman s finger , 
and the Spirit of Nature fastens the rose in the bosom of her 
gown. Nature then crosses to left and stands at the left of the ped¬ 
estal: Society crosses to right and stands right of pedestal. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[turning about and lifting her head] 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


47 


Treasured memories awake—but now I realize 
As I have never realized before, that I 
Am one with Nature— one with all the teeming life 
Out in the streets—and one 

[turning quickly half about to C. and gesturing to waif] 

With this dumb, helpless waif! 

[she pauses and turns to face rear of stage again ] 

What more—what more, my Sage? 

TRUTH. 

[to Flame of Life] 

Flame, call again. 

FLAME. 

[chanting, calls off rear stage] 

Spirit of Body 
Wonder Flame 
Come forth 
And bring with thee 
Thy bounteous gifts 
Beauty and Good Health. 

Music. The Spirit of the Body in draperies of peach-blow pink, 
attended by Beauty, and Good-Health, in tones of the same color, 
enter from the House of Truth rear left entrance, cross, come 
down steps right, and pause facing Truth and Everywoman. 

TRUTH. 

This casket, priceless gift to you, contains 
The vital life. Be heedful of your care of it. 

It must be strong to bear, so nourish it 
With air and sun and food and exercise. 

Make it a thing of grace and loveliness. 


48 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


And let it know the sweets of cherishment. 

Despise it never, nor exalt it out 

Of balance with the rounded Scheme of Things. 

And do not hold it lightly, Dear—Death lies that way. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

I understand. 


TRUTH. 

[i to the groups ] 

Pass on. 

[The three how to Truth and Everywoman and cross to the left 
where they range themselves near the Spirit of Industrial Creation.] 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[chanting] 

Spirit of the Heart 
That throbs in ecstacy 
Or bleeds with pain 
Come forth—come forth— 

And bring with thee 
Thy radiant 
Pain and Joy. 

[Music. Enter as before The Spirit of the Heart with Joy and 
Pain. The Spirit of the Heart is in crimson: Joy in gold with 
cape of crimson: Pain in palest silver with cape of crimson. They 
pause before Truth and Everywoman]. 

TRUTH. 

[quietly] 

Words are not needed to expound this rich bequest 
To you. Your heart has lived—lived regally— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


49 


[smiling] 

It holds deep mysteries, hid e’en from me. 

List ever as you go to its sure counselling: 

Unless the Heart is vibrant to the human calls 
Nor you nor yours shall live abundantly, 

So learn to love immeasurably—Life lies that way. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

I understand—I understand. 


TRUTH. 

[to group] 

Pass on. 

[They lay their hands on Everywomans bent head, cross to left 
and range themselves between the First Group and the Central Figure.] 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[chanting] 

Spirit of the Mind 
Light of the World 
Come forth—come forth— 

And bring with thee 

The Wit that makes Truth shine, 

The Will that makes Truth strong! 

Music. Enter as before The Spirit of the Mind, in steel blue, accom¬ 
panied by wit in blue shot with flame, and Will in blue shot 

with bronze. They pause before Truth and Every woman. 

* 

TRUTH. 

More brain—more brain the woman needs—to comprehend 
True values where the shifting calcium lights 
Of sham Opinion Play. You need the Will 


50 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


To strengthen you to stand serene amid 

The Fantasies and Frauds. You need the Wit 

To build the Cosmic whole from Parts incongruous: 

So labor hard to open windows in your mind 
Through which the Light of the Divine Intelligence 
May gleam—but never deem mere knowledge All in All. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

Again I understand. 

TRUTH. 

[/o group] 

Pass on. 

[They lay their hands on Everywoman , cross to right front and 
range themselves near the Spirit of Artistic Creation.] 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[chanting] 

Spirit of the Hand 
That toils and soothes 
Come forth—come forth— 

And bring with thee 
Thy Skill and Solace. 

Music. Enter as before the Spirit of the Hand in bronze , SJ^ill 
in bronze shot with blue, and Solace in bronze with shadings 
of violet. 


TRUTH. 

Here is a marvel for your dowery. [smiling grimly] 
And you have sometimes scorned it, unaware 
Of its high lineage. Ah, Child, accept this gift 
In reverence. If trained in skillful ways 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


51 


And married to your mind and heart, your hands 
Can execute enduring artistries, and soothe. 

If bred to serve, a restless world to rest. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

I shall remember, Truth. 

The group remains where it is standing, and Everywoman crosses 
to The Spirit of the Hand, lifts the latter s right hand to her 
forehead and returns to the sun-dial. 

FLAME OF LIFE. 

[chanting very reverently] 

Spirit of the Spirit 
Source of all Life 
Container of All 
Wilt thou approach— 

Music. Enter as before, the Spirit of the Spirit who is robed in 
white overlaid with silver. She is veiled, and carries an antique 
silver lamp lit with a pure-burning flame. She crosses to C. and 
stands on the terrace behind the Spirit of Motherhood. 

TRUTH. 

[slowly, rapt in contemplation ] 

Elusive Mystery—with Voice now soft 
As those faint harp-tones stirring in the pines, 

Now clarion as summons trumpeted from crags, 

Undying Emanation of a Force 

We cannot comprehend,—through what vast reaches of 
This finite world you yet must toil with man 
Until the God in man stands free! 

[turning to Everywoman ] Ah, Child, Child 

Watch for the pure, keen lightenings of the Spirit Flame: 


52 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


Illumed and glorious vistas shall be opened forth— 

Pulsations of the Over-Heart shall bring you vivifying joy— 
Entranced to Oneness with your God, your soul shall yearn 
To be drawn back into the shelter of His Peace and Light. 

[with sudden sweeping gesture to the gleaming groups ] 

Your Road leads up and up—through Nature—Art— 

Society—through Body, Mind, and Heart and Hand 
[gesturing to the Spirit] 

To this great Grail, container of them all: 

[shading her head] 

The Road is rough; the Road is very steep— 

But—the Adventure is Divinely Fair: 

Everywoman, rapt, crosses slowly to C. where she stands with head 
bent before the flame the Spirit carries. She turns slowly about. 

There is a new decision in her manner, a new light in her eyes. 
Her head is upthrown. Truth and the Spirits watch her tenderly. 
The Flame of Life goes quietly off rear stage left 

EVERYWOMAN. 

I flinging her arms wide exultantly] 

And these are mine—mine! I may keep step 
With Everyman, my mate, and glory in 
My work and his, and know past all dispute 
Our Road is one and not diverse? I have 
An equal heritage of goal with him? 

I may possess my body, mind, and soul. 

And yet may freely give, and give, and give 
To feed the ever-burning flame—the Life of Worlds? 

[Truth nods affirmingly] 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[continuing with a sudden sweet humility ] 

God grant I may be strong to choose the best—the best— 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


53 


[stretching out her hands to Truth who crosses to her] 

Ah—Truth, I am indeed awake and eager for the Road. 

A Road no longer circumscribed for me. 

Thanks to the glorious truth revealed by you, 

My eyes have clearer vision, and my soul more hope— 
Horizons melt and merge to spheres illimitable— 

[pausing] 

’Tis passing strange I am not awed to inactivity— 

But ever in my ears the children call— 

My heavy burdens fret my back—my parasitic past 
Assails me with its uselessness—Thank God 
That you have made me see its uselessness— 

Never fear for me—You’ve made God’s Light 
To shine within me—courage floods my soul— 

I go with open arms to clasp humanities— 

Joy—Pain—and Work and Love—for now I know 
That Woman is a Queen among her Kin 
When she fills up her life with Work and Love. 

TRUTH. 

[nodding gravely] 

Work everywhere—in Home and State—and everywhere 
The rich and tender love of comrades on the Roads: 

[ pausing , then with gathered force] 

Everywhere the great determinating Choice 

And everywhere the gallant facing of extremest odds— 

[suddenly tender, as if conscious of the Womans fraility] 
Yes—yes—these make for Happiness—and Happiness 
Is just untutored Prayer to God, my Child. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[again looking intently at her gleaming heritage and nodding] 
A noble fighting for a noble peace, 


54 


EVERYWOMAN’S ROAD 


FLAME OF LIFE. 

[chanting from rear auditorium left ] 

Everywoman—Everywoman 
Come forth—Come forth— 

The Living Flame 
Hath need of thee— 

Need of thee— 

Everywoman, Everywoman, 

Come forth. 

EVERYWOMAN. 

[to Truth] 

I go—and I am rich in knowledge and in hope— 

God grant I may not fail too sadly on the Road. 

The organ has been playing softly and now, as if in answer to 
Everywoman s words, the Voices of the Women break forth in 
triumphant chords. The Flame of Life comes to the stage steps. 

VOICES OF THE WOMEN FROM THE UN¬ 
SEEN SHORE. 

BRAVELY FARE FORTH 
LIFE GALLS TO THEE: 

STRONG MUST THOU LABOR 
SURE OF THY DESTINY 
WOMEN TRIUMPHANT 
CROWNED SHALT THOU BE! 

EARTH’S MIGHTY FORGES 
VIBRATE WITHIN THEE 
STAR-FIRES BEACON 
TRUTH SETS THEE FREE! 

ENTER THY MYSTERIES 
HOLILY—HOLILY: 


EVERYWOMAN'S ROAD 


55 


DEEP IN THY SPIRIT 
DWELLS THE DIVINITY: 

DIVINE IS THE MIRACLE 
REBORN ETERNALLY— 

LIVE HOLDETH LOVE- 
LOVE GIVETH LIFE 
LOVE GIVETH LIFE 
IMMORTALITY—IMMORTALITY! 

During the Chant, Everywoman stands with head upraised, listening: 
Truth stands apart, brooding over her. The Spirit of Nature, 
followed by the Spirits of the Body and Heart and the Spirit of 
the Spirit, goes stately from the stage left and out through left audi¬ 
torium aisle. In li\e manner the Spirit of Society, followed by 
the Spirits of the Mind and Hand and the Spirit of Art go out 
through right auditorium aisle. At the last, the groups pause 
waiting for Everywoman. The Flame of Life stands at the foot 
of the left auditorium steps. Still listening, Everywoman crosses 
to left steps, and descends two steps, where she stands, her face 
aglow with the feeling stirred by the Chant. When the last 
Chords die away, she turns to Truth, who is watching her with 
a beautiful steadfast serenity. 


EVERYWOMAN. 

[to Truth with great passion and great dignity ] 

Your Everywoman goes to make Truth manifest 
In all the little lanes: she goes to win her world 
To harmony through Law and Light, and Love. 

The triumphant chorus swells forth again. Truth raises her left arm 
high in blessing; Everywoman turns, the Flame of Life throws 
her arms about her shoulders, and the Processional moves away. 
As the figures exit, the Heralds pass out left and right, the lights 
go out, and the curtain falls. 


Privately printed by the 
STAR PRINTING COMPANY, 
1911 . 







JUN 3 1911 



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